Help, I just received an e-mail from an associate with a file I need, but I get the message: "Outlook blocked access to the following potentially unsafe attachments"!

This happens when you are using Outlook XP (2002) or Outlook 2003 and someone sends you a VBS, EXE, CHM, MDB, BAT, or other Level 1 security risk file. (See below for more). Now while a real hassle, there really is no reason someone should send you an exe in an email. So remember that this is a temporary measure.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open the Registry Editor.
3. If you using Office XP/2002, expand the branches to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Office\ 10.0\ Outlook\ Security
4. If you using Office 2003, expand the branches to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Office\ 11.0\ Outlook\ Security

5. Create a new string value by selecting New and then String Value from the Edit menu.
6. Name the new value Level1Remove.
7. Double-click the new Level1Remove to edit it, and enter the filename extensions you'd like to stop Outlook from blocking. Extensions should be typed in lower case, without the dots (.), and separated by semicolons (. For example, type
exe;mdb;vbs
to allow .exe, .mdb, and .vbs attachments, respectfully.
9. Click Ok and then close the Registry Editor when you're done.
The next time you restart Outlook, you'll now be able to open previously-blocked attachments. (If an attachment is still blocked, you likely got the filename extension wrong.)

Make sure that you do this TEMPORARILY! This is actually a very useful feature.

Level 1 Security Risk Files blocked by Outlook XP and 2003

If you need to send a file from the list below and want to avoid problems with recipients who may have installed the patch, you can simply change the file name before attaching the file -- for example, rename an .exe file to a .ex_ file -- and include instructions on how to save it and rename it in the body of your message. Or use a zip utility like Winzip or 7-Zip to compress the file. Many Compression Tools are available to work automatically from within Outlook, though probably not all will be able to grab the .exe file, given the security surrounding attachments.